More than a library it's a museum

It’s the most relaxing room in the house and also the most mentally stimulating. It’s a refuge from the 21^st century, a launching pad into the future and the perfect place for indulging in a little quiet time. It’s easy to get lost in a book and the environment, so make sure the sofa or chairs are as comfortable as possible.

Let there be light

Three essential lighting sources are necessary for your library. A chandelier or overhead light contributes to the ambiance of the room. Track or recessed lighting should be used to accent works of art, first editions or autographed books. And, most importantly, table or floor lamps are for task lighting. After all, that’s the purpose of having a library.

Add elegance with columns

If you are looking to add some unique style, use panels, fillers and molding to create columns. It provides architectural interest while adding grandeur and scale, making your library feel like it belongs in a museum. Columns also frame your shelves and cabinets giving them added style and flair as they display your book collection.

It’s all in the details

Textures also create style and interesting accents. Wicker chairs and soft cushions provide comfort and give your library a relaxed atmosphere. Choose a mainly neutral palette with sparse accents of pillows or throws to give your living space some color. Adding personal touches like classic hardcover editions of books, a nice chessboard and even an old-fashioned globe will give your living space a personal and intimate feeling.

Don’t forget the books!

And of course, you can’t have a stylish library without books! There are hundreds of lists of must-have books, from 50 Classics for the Collector to 100 Essays for Everyone. Here are a few, in no particular order, that seem to show up on every list.

1 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

2 The Color Purple by Alice Walker

3 The House of Spirits by Isabelle Allende

4 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

5 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

6 Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

7 The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

8 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

9 The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

10 Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden